DURHAM — A crowd of 1,675 people, wearing rain boots and carrying umbrellas, listened to former President Bill Clinton at the University of New Hampshire on Wednesday speak about jobs, the future and voting for President Barack Obama in the upcoming election.

It may have been a gloomy and misty day outside of the Lundholm Gymnasium, but inside, the feeling turned bright and clear for a better future.

“You have to decide. Every young person here who has more tomorrows than yesterdays,” said Clinton. “Do you want an America where we give everybody a chance to have a good education, to start a business and pursue their dreams and where people wake up everyday thinking about making something good happen?”

Clinton, who spoke on behalf of the Obama for America ­— New Hampshire campaign, said Obama is the clear choice for 2012, reiterating his message in his ad campaign for the president.

“What kind of country do you want to live in? he asked. “Do you want to live in a country where the goal is shared prosperity or you are on your own?”

“This is not rocket science,” he said.

For more than 30 minutes, Clinton spoke of the 3.5 million jobs Obama has created, including a half million American manufacturing jobs and saving the U.S. auto industry. He continuously made reference to the work Obama has done and will continue to do.

“No president, not me, not any of our predecessors, could heal the damage that President Obama found on the day he took office in just four years,” Clinton noted.

He spoke of the economy moving forward thanks to college students and that students are what will change the country.

“Not every job in the 21st century will require a four-year degree, but almost every job will be created by someone who has one,” he said. “This is a very big deal.”

Democratic nominee for New Hampshire governor Maggie Hassan, who introduced Clinton, also noted the importance of college-age Americans. She said Obama will be speaking to them tonight during the debate.

“You’ll hear our president speak directly to you and your families,” she said. “He’ll talk about you. Your education and your future.”

Hassan said she plans to freeze University of New Hampshire tuition and that Obama has a plan himself to cut every college tuition in half in the next decade.

“Because our president wants to make sure that you start your future with big dreams instead of more debt,” she said.

As people fanned themselves from the heat and humidity in the stuffy gym, they cheered, applauded and stood up for Hassan and Clinton as they both stated their case to point the American people in the direction of Obama.

“Do you really want to keep on with this anti-government politics when the only successful countries on earth are the ones that have both a strong economy and a strong government?” Clinton asked.

“The president’s economic plan is better in the short run, better in the long run,” Clinton said. “It’s a heck of a lot better than ‘you’re on your own.’”

“No on-your-own country is succeeding,” said Clinton. “You’ve got to decide what kind of America you want to live in.”